Upcoming Pfizer Vaccine Clinics at Johnson Commons:
- Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-12 noon: Make 11/19 Pfizer appointment
- Nov. 30, 1-3 p.m.: Make 11/30 Pfizer appointment
A tremendous THANK YOU to the volunteer faculty, staff, and students who have been staffing our on-campus vaccine clinics and administering COVID-19 vaccines since February. Please note that Nov. 30 is the last scheduled on-campus vaccine clinic. Those who still need one or more doses may walk in to University Health Services weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. when the university is open to receive a vaccination. A list of local vaccine clinics is also on UM’s vaccination webpage.
To meet the Jan. 4 deadline to submit a vaccination record, employees and student employees would need to receive vaccine doses by these dates:
- Moderna: first dose by Dec. 6, second dose by Jan. 3.
- Pfizer: first dose by Dec. 13, second dose by Jan. 3.
- Johnson & Johnson: single dose by Jan. 3.
Test Before Turkey! COVID-19 Testing Offered Ahead of Thanksgiving Break
Upcoming FREE COVID-19 testing is available to symptomatic or asymptomatic students, faculty and staff at the University-Oxford Depot on campus:
- Thursday, Nov. 18, 3-7 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 19, 3-7 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 21, 12 noon-4 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 22, 3-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 23, 3-7 p.m.
See more details here. To schedule your test:
- Text “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR click on this link: http://86borders.com/l/68415e8f
- Complete the Testing Intake Form
- You will receive a confirmation # to present at the testing site
- Show up (with your University-affiliated ID) any day, any time during testing hours that week.
Status of Mississippi’s COVID-19 State of Emergency
After initially announcing the end of Mississippi’s State of Emergency earlier this month, Gov. Tate Reeves extended the State of Emergency another eight days until Saturday, Nov. 20.
“With more than 3,000,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine having been administered in Mississippi and with COVID-19 infections and resulting hospitalizations being effectively managed, it’s time to end the State of Emergency,” Gov. Reeves said. “The additional eight-day extension will provide state agencies with ample time to prepare for the State of Emergency’s termination.”
Stay Home if You’re Sick
Know the symptoms of the flu and the symptoms of COVID so you can determine when you need to stay home AND seek medical attention.
Featured FAQ: Is there an increase in flu this year?
According to the CDC, the most recent FluView reports increases in flu activity that indicate we are in the early stages of the 2021-2022 flu season. On campus, University Health Services is seeing a spike in patients with flu-like symptoms. While flu activity remains low nationally, an increase of influenza A(H3N2) viruses has been detected in recent weeks. The majority of cases nationally have been found in young adults and children, who are commonly the drivers of community spread of flu. CDC also has received anecdotal reports of flu outbreaks among young adults, possibly attending colleges and universities in several states.
The occurrence or timing of these recent flu outbreaks is typical. Flu activity often starts to increase in October, peaks in February and can last into May. The recent outbreaks and associated increasing detection of H3N2 viruses are notable because they represent the first significant flu activity of the 2021-2022 season (and the first since March 2020). This increase in flu activity as the holiday season is about to begin underscores the importance of flu vaccination.
Faculty, staff and students can receive a flu shot at the University Health Center weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
News Stories and Resources
- All vaccinated adults could soon be eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot (NPR)
- Should I mix or match my booster shot? (NYT)
- Pfizer files for U.S. authorization of promising COVID-19 antiviral pill (Reuters)
- COVID-19 vaccination offers kids extra layer of protection, pediatricians say (UMMC)
- Preparing for the holidays? Don’t forget rapid tests for COVID-19 (Harvard Health Publishing)
- Information for people traveling within the United States and U.S. Territories (CDC)
COVID-19 Data
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi (as of Nov. 16):
- 225 new cases, 2 new deaths and 25 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report (as of Nov. 16):
- 3,125,035 total doses administered; 1,579,513 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,396,264 people fully vaccinated.
- Lafayette County: 61,818 Total Doses Administered; 27,486 People Fully Vaccinated, 51% of Total Population Fully Vaccinated.
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